The Ah Louis Store, established in 1874, stands as a historic landmark and one of the last remnants of San Luis Obispo’s original Chinatown.

Founded by Wong On, later known as Ah Louis, the store served as a general store, bank, post office, and gathering place for the local Chinese community from the 1870s through the 1930s. Originally a wooden structure built in 1874, it was later rebuilt in brick using materials from Ah Louis’ own brickyard — the first in the region — and still features many of its original architectural elements today.

Ah Louis immigrated from China in 1861, escaping civil unrest and searching for opportunity in California. He became a vital figure in the development of San Luis Obispo County, organizing Chinese laborers for major infrastructure projects including the Pacific Coast Railway, Cuesta Grade stagecoach roads, and Southern Pacific Railroad tunnels. His workers also contributed to agriculture, flower seed production, and land reclamation. At the height of his influence in the 1890s, Chinese workers made up a significant portion of the county's labor force, and Ah Louis was often called upon to bridge communication between the Chinese and white communities.

Beyond its commercial function, the store was also home to the Louis family and became the heart of San Luis Obispo’s Chinatown, which included boarding houses, temples, and community centers. Today, the Ah Louis Store is one of just four remaining buildings from that era. Its interior still features original built-in redwood cabinetry, a gas light fixture, and artifacts like the family’s safe and cash register.

The store remained in the Louis family for generations, eventually operating as a gift shop selling imported Asian goods. In 2004, it was purchased by Dr. William J. Watson, Ah Louis’s great-grandson. After a 2003 earthquake, the structure underwent retrofitting while preserving its historic character. Today, under the stewardship of Karson Butler Hospitality Co., the Ah Louis Store continues to serve the community—not just as a retail shop, but as a beautifully preserved window into San Luis Obispo’s multicultural past.